Do you want to change your hair color? There’s never been a better time to do it! Now you can lighten, darken, highlight, lowlight or two-tone your hair in a variety of hair color shades. You can change hair color for the day or get one that lasts several weeks. Some women prefer at home hair color products, while others choose to go to a professional hair salon to achieve the desired results. From temporary to semi-permanent hair or even permanent hair color, you can have the look you want and keep it that way by using hair care products that are specially formulated for color treated hair and by following professional recommendations and guidelines.

If you are thinking about changing your hair color, the following eight tips can help to ensure super results.

Consult an expert.

Even if you plan to color your hair by yourself or with a friend’s help, it’s a good idea to get an initial consultation with a professional hair care expert. Find a quality hair salon, unless you already have one and make an appointment for a coloring evaluation. Explain what you are planning to do and then discuss options with the expert. Although he or she may try to get you to let the salon do your hair, you can politely but firmly adhere to your own convictions about doing it at home while requesting feedback about your hair’s condition, recommended color range, and any precautions or follow-up that might be needed. You may find after doing your hair at home that it’s faster and less messy to have the salon do it next time.

But if not, you will have professional information to guide your home hair coloring process, along with possible recommended products and an expert to contact if problems should arise.

Perform the color tests.

Whether you do it at home or have a professional color your hair, be sure that the proper pre-coloring tests are done and results checked, before continuing with the coloring process. A strand test applies color to a “hidden” strand of hair and is left on for the required amount of time. After rinsing it out, the residual hair color is checked to see if it is the desired shade. The skin or patch test is when you apply a small circle of hair coloring product to your inner arm, around the crook of the elbow, and leave it for 24 to 48 hours. If redness, itching, swelling, or burning occurs, or possibly other symptoms, you are probably allergic and should not use the product. Some people who are allergic to sulfa antibiotics may have a cross-reaction to certain hair dyes. Check with your doctor, dermatologist or hair care professional for more information.

Follow directions carefully.

If you use an at home hair color, read the package insert listing guidelines and directions before doing anything. Make sure you understand how to carry out each step of the coloring procedure before you start. If you have questions, call the company’s toll-free number or visit the website to get answers.

Keep an eye on your hair color expert if you have your hair done professionally. Do not let the expert skip steps or take shortcuts, especially during the first time you have your hair colored. That way, if the color doesn’t turn out right, you can check each step to find out what didn’t work correctly.

Use consistent products and service.

Once you have tested hair color products for allergic reactions and have found the results acceptable, stay with that product for a while to give your hair a chance to get used to it, and to ensure consistent color in your hair each time. Of course, you may want to switch from semi-permanent hair color to permanent hair color at some point, which is fine, but remember to follow all preliminary steps to be sure the product is compatible with your hair.

Don’t be afraid to try something new.

After realizing how liberating hair color can be and giving your hair a chance to get used to certain coloring products or a salon’s way of doing things, you may want to experiment with a different look. Although going from dark brunette to light blonde may be a bit extreme, you probably could try it, if you want to.

However, some people change their hair more subtly at first, for example, by adding highlights or lowlights. They may go a shade or two lighter or darker at first, before switching to an intermediate shade, say, from brunette to brown hair, or from blonde to red hair. You may want to wait and do this when you don’t have an important meeting coming up soon so that if the color turns out less than desirable, you won’t feel embarrassed about being seen.

But don’t go wild!

With the many hair color options available, you may be tempted to try something really different, and end up scaring yourself or your family! Of course, most treatments are repairable, but still, you may feel awkward about appearing even temporarily with stripes, mismatched streaks, or a shade of blue that your grandmother wore. Plan your new look, consult with an expert, and be cautious as you make changes, unless, of course, anything goes and you’re ready to brave the critics at any cost.

Take care of your hair.

Color treated hair requires special care and consideration. For example, if your home has well water, be aware that minerals in the water could strip or change the color of your hair, resulting in shocking pink or ghastly green, even when that isn’t your goal.

You can buy shampoo, conditioner, and styling products that are designed for color-treated hair either over-the-counter or from a beauty supply shop, as well as at your local salon. Although they can cost more than regular products, the end result is worth it to preserve and protect your new hair color.

Take note of possible allergies.

As mentioned, some people are allergic to hair color products, and it’s a good idea to check with your doctor first, especially if you are aware of any current skin sensitivities or allergies. Sometimes a person’s skin changes with time, so you should have the skin test done each time you color your hair. People can become more sensitive to hair color with age, or even during hormonal fluctuations. Watch for redness, a rash, or hives and seek emergency help if extreme symptoms should appear, like a change in heart rate, blood pressure or breathing difficulties.

Coloring your hair is one of the most exciting and easiest ways to enhance your appearance. Celebrities, leaders at all levels of societies and even young girls with beautiful, natural hair sometimes add highlights or streaks to enliven their hair. Some people use hair color to hide the gray that comes with aging. Whatever your reasoning may be, do it well and have fun!

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